No abstract

The purpose of this on-farm trial was to evaluate the impact of supplementing slow-release nitrogen (SRN; min. 40% N) and exogenous fibrolytic enzyme (EFE; cellulase, xylanase, glucanase, mannanase and xylanase-potentiating factor) products on milk yield and composition in dairy cows. Twelve early-tomidlactating crossbred cows were divided into 2 groups with comparable milk production. Animals were fed on a total mixed ration comprising of green maize, wheat straw and concentrate mixture. Group T 1 was supplemented with urea at 80 g/animal/d, whereas that of T 2 received a novel combination of cellulopolymer-coated SRN at 80 g and EFE at 4 g/animal/d for a period of 20 days. Results showed no difference in milk yield (13.8 vs. 15.1 kg/d; P=0.559) between the groups; however, milk fat (3.49 vs. 3.87%) and solid not fat (7.92 vs. 8.35%) levels were higher (P0.05) in group T 2 than T 1 . Furthermore, on applying 2-axis milk payment system, group T 2 demonstrated a return on investment of 8.3:1. It was, therefore, concluded that supplementing a combination of SRN and EFE carries practical worth to enhance milk composition, thereby boosting economic gain in dairy farming under Indian context.

This study evaluated the efficacy of a buffalospecific complete micronutrient premix on performance and economic feasibility in milking buffaloes under field conditions. Sixteen Murrah buffaloes in their early lactation were selected from the herd and randomly assigned to one of two groups of control and treatment maintained on a total mixed ration comprising of corn green, wheat straw, and concentrate feed mixture. The diet of buffaloes in the treatment group had additional on-top dosing of a complete micronutrient premix at 50 g/head/day for 30 days. Results showed no significant (P C 0.05) difference in milk production and fat content. However, a return on investment of 2.2:1 was demonstrated in the treatment group over that of control. Therefore, it was concluded that the regular supplementation of micronutrient premix in the diets of lactating buffaloes improves economic returns, thereby augmenting bottom-line profitability in commercial dairy enterprises.